Environment

One of our core principles is respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. As such, we believe in the wise stewardship of earth’s wonders and resources.

Our congregation has a long history of being involved in the environment movement. Indeed, Greenpeace was founded in our Fireside Room in Hewett Centre.

Climate March 2016

With the leadership of the Environment Committee, our community abides by the rule “Think globally, act locally” with emphasis on acting or action, including protesting and speaking up on major environmental issues. We lobby our government for action on climate change, endangered species, and other major concerns. Many in the congregation also try to simplify their lives by consuming less and spreading the word on issues. We are just like you in that we don’t have all the answers. What we do know is that we are stronger together and by joining our committee you will give yourself a voice that deserves to be heard.

Since 2005, our Green Fund provides funding for innovative projects which carry out our environmental sustainability mission through worship, ethical action, education and artistic expression. Most of the funds raised by Environment Committee fundraising events are contributed to the Green Fund and have helped finance ‘Greening of the Church’ to reduce our carbon footprint.

Historically, we set up recycling, composting and community vegetable gardens at the church long before it was a mainstream concept. (How many of you remember when recycling cans and paper was considered ‘weird’?)

For six years, we organized the Oak Street Farmers market on the church’s grounds, the first all-organic farmers market in Vancouver.

Our Team

Walk for the Salish Sea – May 2017

The Environment Committee is made up of a diverse group of people with many different interests but in general, we have always been at the forefront of Earth based issues. Currently, many of us are organizers, peace marshals, or participants in the marches and rallies against pipelines, tankers, and climate change. Recently, we organized a rally against the mining company that had the worst tailings pond disaster in BC history.

We meet up once a month to share information and coordinate action. You are welcome to drop in and get a feel for the way the meeting is run and what topics are being addressed. If you have an item that you would like raised at a meeting, please contact Tamiko Suzuki. Tamiko can also fill you in on whether we are already working on the issue that interests you.

Walk 4 the Salish Sea

Forums

We believe in education so we bring in guest speakers to the first Sunday forum of each month. Some topics covered recently: fish farms, youth activism, LNG and fracking, climate change, alternative energy, First Nations issues, mining issues, and the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion. The forum in June, 2017, was on the State of Renewable Energy in BC.

Past Forums sponsored by Environment Committee

This will give you a taste of the kinds of speakers and topics we host.

Fundraising lunches

If you like cooking and hanging out in the kitchen, we’d love to meet you! We put on several organic, vegan / vegetarian lunches a year for our Green Fund. By serving these meals, we want to show that eating low on the food chain is not only good for the planet, but do-able and delicious! Working together in the kitchen is also a great way to get to know people on the committee and get the scoop on the latest issues!